One quick note before we get going.

In this episode, we talk about tampons and menstruation, and we use the word women a

lot to describe people who have periods and who companies like Tampex have targeted with

their marketing.

But it's important to note that it isn't just women who menstruate.

Some people, like some transgender men and non-binary folks do, and then some women don't

get periods at all.

If you want to learn more about this, we've included a link in our episode notes.

Okay, now let's start the show.

A couple of months ago, I met up with my friend Julie Seidow for breakfast.

I will say we were at a cafe, and it was small little tables next to each other.

I do.

Julie is an author and a journalist, and this cafe we were at was a cute French cafe.

There were lots of people around, silverware clinking, delicious croissants, light chatter,

you get the idea.

Very normal, very quaint.

But then I asked Julie a question.

What stories are you working on?

And I said, I'm thinking about doing something on tampons.

And not your normal breakfast conversation?

No, not at all.

There were people sitting next to us.

...